Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) became the first Senate Democrat to announce his run for Democratic whip on Monday, bringing two new endorsements in his launch.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Schatz confirmed he would attempt to replace Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who is stepping down next year after two decades in the position.
Schatz, 52, has been making phone calls to consolidate support since Durbin, 80, announced his retirement last week, making the launch a formality. But Schatz, the chief deputy on Durbin’s whip team, has simultaneously tried to build a sense of momentum surrounding his candidacy.
On Friday, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), the No. 4 Senate Democrat, preemptively endorsed him. Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) added their names to that list in the Monday interview.
No other Democrats have come forward to run for the whip position. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the No. 3 Senate Democrat, and Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democratic appropriator, have yet to announce their intentions.
Murray, 74, stepped back from leadership two years ago, while Klobuchar, 64, could have aspirations of higher office. She ran for president in 2020, making a strong showing in the New Hampshire primary and Democratic debates.
In the interview, Schatz staked his candidacy on his experience on the whip team and his “love” for the nitty-gritty of corralling votes, a sometimes messy process that can make or break the majority’s agenda.
“Not everybody loves the aspect of politics that occurs on the floor,” said Schatz. “This is where I think I can be most useful.”
In the whip race, Booker, Kelly, and Rosen are helping firm up support for Schatz within the Democratic caucus.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the top Senate Democrat, stays neutral in the succession battle, telling MSNBC on Thursday that it’s a “little too early to speculate” given the leadership race is still 19 months away.
DURBIN WON’T RULE OUT SENATE ENDORSEMENT IN ILLINOIS SUCCESSION RACE
When pressed for his thoughts on Schatz, Schumer only said, “We have a lot of really, really good senators.”
Durbin, for his part, has not yet commented on the race, which will be held shortly after the November elections next year.